Malegaon: It has been 16 years since the bomb blast in Bhiku Chowk on September 29, 2008, which claimed the lives of 6 people and injured more than 100. However, the victims and their families are still awaiting justice.
The defense lawyers for key accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Colonel Purohit, and other defendants are expected to complete their cross-examination on Monday. Following this, the public prosecutor will begin arguments on Tuesday. Nisar Ahmed, who appealed as an intervener in the case with the legal assistance of Jamiat Ulama-e-Maharashtra, stated, “Despite the directions from the Supreme Court and High Court, 16 years have passed without justice or a final verdict. The victims are still waiting for justice.”
Shahid Nadeem, legal advisor and assisting lawyer of the Jamiat Legal Cell, said, “The trial against the key accused, including BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit, Major Ramesh Upadhyay, Sameer Kulkarni, Ajay Rahikar, Sudhakar Dhar Dwivedi, and Sudhakar Chaturvedi, is being heard daily by Special NIA Court Judge A.K. Lahoti. However, the victims waiting for justice are now losing hope. If Jamiat had not intervened in the case, it is highly possible that the accused might have been discharged from the case.”
He further explained, “There are several reasons for the prolonged trial, including the lack of interest by the former investigating agency ATS, the changes in government at both the central and state levels, as well as the appeals made by the accused, which have further delayed the case. Additionally, the weak prosecution by the current investigating agency, NIA, has also contributed to the accused receiving relief and obtaining bail. Moreover, the long list of witnesses has been another significant factor in delaying the trial and verdict. In any case, the trial has reached its final stage, but it remains too early to predict how much longer the verdict will take.”
